While Lin Huai was fully focused on divining the future and laying out his plans for the upcoming Promotion Ceremony, the other players on the chessboard began their own moves.
Stark Industries, Underground R&D Center.
This place had been transformed by Obadiah Stane into his own secret kingdom.
He gazed fanatically at the hideous, massive iron armor nearing completion before him—the iron monger. With the "bait" Tony had delivered to his doorstep, the heart issue of this Robot had finally been perfectly resolved.
"A genius... a literal, absolute genius..."
Obadiah couldn't help but laugh out loud. Then, he looked down at the silver briefcase in his hand, which the mercenaries had brought back as a makeshift shield.
The case opened to reveal a small pinch of mysterious ash and an analysis report handwritten by Tony Stark himself—one he didn't understand but could sense the importance of.
He didn't know the principles behind it, but through Tony's report, he understood its "effect"—Probability Mist, a "Cognitive Interference Field" that could severely disrupt precision electronic targeting systems.
"God Almighty... this is a gift from God Almighty!" Greed and fanaticism filled Obadiah's eyes. "Tony, your greatest advantage is those fancy electronic gadgets! And now, your strongest spear is about to face my most bizarre shield!"
He couldn't wait to see the look of despair on Tony's face when the mark armor's locking system completely failed... Malibu beach, Tony's mansion.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
Tony knew very well that with the unknown variable of the whispering leech ash in Obadiah's hands, the technological advantage he took pride in would be significantly weakened. The final battle would be incredibly difficult. Although he had a trump card left, triggering it required the reactor to enter a high-output state; without the help of technology, he might not even last that long.
But he had no choice but to shoulder it all.
While upgrading the mark iii armor, he dialed a private number.
"Rhodes, it's me."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by the helpless voice of Colonel James Rhodes: "I knew that thing in the sky was you. What is it this time? Need me to help write a report?"
"It's much more serious than that." Tony's tone was more solemn than ever. "I need a favor, a personal request."
"...Go ahead."
"Protect Pepper." Tony's voice was low. "Ensure her safety, no matter what. Right now."
Rhodes was stunned. He could hear a sense of finality in Tony's voice, as if he were settling his affairs.
"Tony, what exactly is going on?"
"Just do as I say, Rhodes."
Tony didn't explain and hung up the phone immediately.
However, he had no idea that this well-intentioned arrangement had triggered an alarm he couldn't have predicted.
S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters.
"Director Fury, we've intercepted a call between Stark and his Military contact, James Rhodes," an Agent reported. "Stark requested that Rhodes immediately protect Pepper Potts. According to our Psychological Profiling Model, Stark is preparing for a war he isn't fully confident in winning."
Nick Fury turned around, his single eye flashing with a sharp light.
"He's securing his weakness. Notify Coulson to initiate Plan B. We cannot let Rhodes reach Miss Potts first. We need a more controllable 'witness'."
"Yes, Officer!"
...Late at night, the CEO's office at Stark Industries remained brightly lit.
Pepper Potts pinched the bridge of her nose hard, trying to alleviate a surging migraine. The documents piled on her desk were like a small mountain, each one a poisoned arrow aimed straight at Obadiah. But behind these cold numbers was a growing sense of unease; her intuition screamed in her mind that a massive storm was coming.
Just then, there was a knock on the office Door.
She looked up and saw the assistant she had personally hired for the Legal Department, Natalie Rushman. But Pepper's gaze went past her, landing on the people behind her.
A man in a suit with a kind smile on his face, accompanied by several solemn-looking personnel with intimidating auras. This was definitely not an internal company meeting.
"Good evening, Miss Potts." The man at the lead didn't waste words and showed his ID. "FBI, Agent Phil Coulson. We have some matters to discuss with you. Regarding Mr. Tony Stark."
FBI? Tony? Pepper's heart sank; her worst premonition was becoming a reality.
Half an hour later.
Coulson pushed an Encrypted File in front of her.
"We have reason to believe that Obadiah Stane is secretly engaged in illegal arms dealing and poses a direct threat to Mr. Stark's personal safety."
Coulson's words were like a key, instantly unlocking all the doubts in Pepper's mind. The fragmented, illogical details from the past connected into a complete and terrifying line. Her face turned pale instantly.
"What... what should I do?" Her voice trembled, though she didn't realize it.
"Mr. Stark is currently in great danger." Coulson's tone became serious. "We need you to enter Obadiah's office and find direct evidence of all his illegal transactions on his computer. Our people will provide technical support. As soon as we have the evidence, we can arrest him immediately."
Pepper looked at Coulson without the slightest hesitation. For Tony, she was willing to take any risk.
"Okay," she agreed simply.
Seeing her agree, Coulson nodded with a smile and then looked at "Natalie" beside her.
"Then from now on, your safety will be the full responsibility of Agent Romanoff."
Under Pepper's surprised gaze, "Natalie Rushman" stood up. The professional, sweet smile on her face vanished, replaced by the characteristic coolness and efficiency of a top Agent, as if she had instantly become a different person.
"Let's get reacquainted, Pepper."
Her voice became low and resonant.
"Natasha Romanoff, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent. From now on, I will be protecting you closely until Obadiah is caught."
A faint, almost imperceptible flicker of thought passed through her sharp eyes.
Her original mission was to get close to that mysterious Fortune Teller, a target so troublesome he gave even her a headache. It was as if he had a third eye; whether she went directly to the Divination House or tried to manufacture a chance encounter on a street corner, Lin Huai was like a slippery loach, always managing to perfectly miss her in the most inconceivable ways. S.H.I.E.L.D. had struggled for a long time and still couldn't establish contact, so they were forced to find a breakthrough through Stark.
This mission was nominally to protect a witness, but the Director had privately given her another task: to use her contact with Stark's circle to continue looking for an opportunity to get close to that mysterious "Fortune Teller," Lin Huai.
She hoped this indirect approach would work.